Dead Zones

Dead Zones

Dead Zones are parts of the ocean that are no longer capable of holding life because of a lack of oxygen. Because of 20 years of runnoff from farms there is a Dead Zone building up in the gulf. Due to the oil in the gulf, researchers are worried that the Dead Zone will grow. When Microbes in the gulf consume the oil it takes up more oxygen when they die causing the Dead Zone to increase in size. Scientists are wondering if the size the Dead Zone was affected by the spill